Exeter Airport says passenger numbers are back to pre-recession levels.

Latest monthly figures show continued growth with 800,000 passengers in a 12 month period for the first time since 2009.

The increase of both inbound and outbound passengers has been largely driven by the return of Flybe's popular sun routes, their additional domestic services and our Thomson-based aircraft with flights to 15 popular holiday destinations.

– Exeter Airport managing director Matt Roach

The Managing Director says the following changes have also helped

Flybe's London City route which started nine months ago

Extra services to Manchester with Flybe

The return of the Newcastle service

The latest route to Deauville Normandy, which started in June

Exeter Airport says the boost is partly down to Flybe's new London City route Credit: ITV News

The company predicts that, with the extension of the Flybe summer season for the Alicante, Malaga and Palma Mallorca flights, the rise in passengers through Exeter will continue.

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This trade conference in Plymouth has attracted businesspeople from Germany Credit: ITV News

A trade conference for Plymouth businesses has drawn visitors from further afield.

A delegation has come from the central German city of Leipzig to promote trade links with the West Country. They visited various development opportunities around Plymouth yesterday and will be touring other parts of Devon today.

We want to create some connections between Leipzig and Plymouth. We want to make Leipzig a bit more known to the people of Devon, and we want to connect and partner with the local business, and hopefully find some opportunities for each other.

Torquay United has announced it is closing its youth academy as part of cost-cutting measures.

The club said the "painful and stark reality" was that it could no longer afford to run it while still ensuring a future for the club.

In a statement on its website the club apologised to the "outstanding" and "talented" young footballers who will now be released.

A new board of directors took over the troubled club yesterday.
The club's new Director of Football Dean Edwards will explain the decision to close the youth department at a meeting at the Launa Windows Stadium tomorrow night.

"We would like to put on record that we did not create this situation. For months now, the precarious nature of the football club has been obvious and, in truth, this should have been resolved a long time ago.

"The comments made by former vice-chairman Bill Phillips in suggesting the youth department would be retained were both premature and misleading to the young footballers in our structure.

"We are extremely sorry for all the young boys who have been in the system and the dedication shown by these talented youngsters, and their families, has been outstanding at all times."

"Now this decision has been reached, we can confirm that all the Academy and youth-team players are free agents.

"Despite our disappointment at being placed in this position, we are in no way abandoning the culture of trying to develop young players and the future plan involves working closely with local clubs to help nurture talent.

"We are already in discussion with Paul Devlin and his team of coaches in Football in the Community to see how we can play a role in expanding their operation to develop elite pathways for the best young players in our region.

"We will also seek to enhance the scouting network available to Torquay United, with the aim of identifying talented teenagers who we believe can make the step up to training with our first-team squad.

"Finally, Torquay United would like to thank all the coaching staff in the youth department for their tremendous commitment. Geoff Harrop, Robbie Herrera, Kevin Nancekivell, Craig Easton, Matt Scholes, Matt Williams and all the part-time coaches did a superb job and we are very grateful."

A Devon MP is calling on Caffe Nero not to give in to threats from animal rights activists over the badger cull.

The chain has stopped buying milk from dairy farmers in the badger cull zone in Somerset following threats to employees and property. Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish, warns that giving in could encourage more intimidation in future.

These farmers have had a real struggle to rid themselves of TB and it's part of government policy and they should not be targeted in this way. And I just want Caffe Nero to show some muscle - to actually stand up to people rather than cave in.